CHARLESTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb raced to a 28-7 lead in the third quarter and finished with 637 yards of total offense to beat Charleston Southern for its second Big South win of the season.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-5, 2-0 Big South) are 2-0 in the conference for the first time since 2009.

Bailey Fisher completed 26-of-41 passes for a career-high 408 yards and a touchdown and ran 12 times for 44 yards and another score in an efficient, dominant effort under center.

Gardner-Webb fell behind early on a cutback run by the Buccaneers (1-6, 1-2 Big South). Running back JD Moore found running room and dashed 83 yards to the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 6:25 to play in the first quarter. 

The Runnin' Bulldogs answered with a 39-yard field goal by Jay Billingsley and took the lead for good when Fisher hit Cutrell Haywood on a 29-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone for a 10-7 lead with 10:12 to play before halftime. Billingsley capped another scoring drive with 1:04 to play before the break with a 23-yard field goal and a 13-7 lead.

Freshman Jayden Brown sprinted 44 yards for a score with 9:46 to play in the third for a 20-7 lead and – after a Ty French interception – Fisher capped a short drive with his on five-yard run. He tossed to Janiero Crankfield for a two-point conversion for a 28-7 advantage.

Charleston Southern took advantage of a pair fourth down conversions to pull closer with 3:05 to play in the third quarter, when Tony Bartalo found Seth Anderson open in the end zone from eight yards out – trimming the lead to 28-14.

The Bucs would get no closer, as Gardner-Webb's defense played its role well – getting an interception from Josiah Wright  to halt a drive and a sack by Brandon Jackson to halt another on fourth down.

Fisher picked up one more first down run and the 'Dogs settled into the victory formation to end the game.

Fisher's 452 yards of total offense marked a new career-high for the redshirt senior and helped Gardner-Webb control the clock (38:43) and register 26 first downs.

The aerial attack was balanced by a ground game that churned out 229 yards on Saturday. Brown led the way with a career-high 92 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and Narii Gaither had 72 yards on 17 carries. 

Fisher spread the ball around through the air, hitting Haywood 10 times for 145 yards and a score, and taking the top off with speedster TJ Luther – who hauled in six catches for 159 yards. Gaither added four catches for 40 yards and eight different receivers caught at least one pass.

Gardner-Webb's defense was once against stiff, limiting Charleston Southern to only 279 yards – with 83 yards coming on a single play. The Bucs ran for just 117 yards and punted six times.

Safety AJ Thomas led the way with six solo stops and a tackle for loss. Jacosn added five hits, two tackles for loss and a sack and William McRainey came through with five solo stops and a sack.

Gardner-Webb finished its four-game road stretch with a 2-2 record, with both losses coming at FBS opponents. The Runnin' Bulldogs will return home next Saturday, hosting Big South newcomer Bryant at 1:30 pm in Spangler Stadium as part of Homecoming Weekend.

The game will stream live on ESPN+, with Phil Constantino on the call. Dave Freidman will call the action on WGNC Radio 1450 AM / 101.1 FM (TuneIn App).